Logistics: <b>November 9, 2003</b>

November 9, 2003

While most of the logistics and maintenance support for American troops in Iraq is still located in Kuwait, a lot of it has moved to two new bases inside Iraq. One, Camp Victory, is five kilometers from Baghdad International Airport (which is itself a rather large military facility, but run mostly by the U.S. Air Force.) The other one is Anaconda, a new base 70 kilometers north of Baghdad. Although a lot of supplies are obtained locally, much stuff is either in short supply or very expensive. So support units moving to the Victory or Anaconda are warned to bring large quantities of certain stuff with them. Currently this means office supplies (staplers, staples, pens, pencils, tape and the like.) A two month supply of certain petroleum supplies (vehicle grease, 15W40 and 10W oil, plus brake fluid) is suggested. Some computer supplies are also on the list, mainly 3.5 inch computer disks and 512MB memory sticks. You also need plastic zip lock bags for the 3.5 inch disks (to keep the dust out). This is why the 512MB (or smaller) memory sticks are preferred. But not all computers can handle memory sticks. These two items are needed because its often easier, and more secure, to move large amounts of information from one base, or unit, to another via disk or memory stick. While the internet is all over the place, a lot of it still operates via satellite links, which means there is not a lot of capacity and throughput is slow. Logistical units have to move around a lot, so units headed for Iraq are advised to try and get new tires on all their hummers, and make sure they all have gun mounts and Kevlar (armor) blankets for protection against enemy attacks.